QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT TESTS AND PROCEDURES:
1. How will this test aid in the diagnosis or therapy
of my illness?
2. Will I need to be hospitalized?
3. Will other tests need to be done?
4. Will I need other tests in the future, or will I
need this test repeated?
5. Are there simpler or less risky ways to evaluate
my symptoms?
6. What if no diagnosis is made? Will you then
simply observe me to see if the symptoms go
away, or will you possibly have to go as far
as exploratory surgery?
7. Do I have any particular risk factors for any
of the tests?
8. Will my insurance cover the costs of tests done
either inside or outside of the hospital?
9. Please explain to me exactly what you are going
to do during this test before you start.
10. How long will it take?
11. Can I expect any unusual feelings, pain, or
sensations?
12. Will I need someone to drive me home after
the procedure is over, or will it be safe to drive
myself?
13. What are the risks of this test, and how often
do they happen? Am I at particular risk?
14. Are there special instructions to follow before
or after this test?
15. Will I need to be seen after the test is done?
16. Will you call me with the test results, and can
I get a copy of them for my personal records?
17. How will I know if a complication is occurring?
18. What should I do if I experience a complication?
19. Are there any side effects I should be concerned
about?
1. What types of drugs are used in this disease, and how
do they work?
2. Why are you choosing these particular drugs for me?
3. What are the chances that the drugs I am receiving will
"cure" me?
4. If the drugs do not cure my illness, what effect should I
expect from them?
5. How long will I have to take medication?
6. Can you give me a plan for what we will do if this t
reatment doesn't work?
7. What is the dosing interval? What are the best days/best
time of day to take the drug?
8. Are there any special instructions for taking the drugs?
9. Are there interactions with other drugs, foods, sunlight,
alcohol?
10. What are the side effects of this drug and how often do
they occur?
11. What are the toxic effects? Be sure to clarify what the
dangerous side effects are, how common they are, and if you
are in a high-risk group and how to recognize it.
12. Is there a wide gap between toxic and therapeutic
amounts of this drug?
13. If someone accidentally takes my drug, or I accidentally
take too much, what is the best course of action?
14. Can I take generic drugs?
15. Is there any other way to reduce the expense of taking
this drug? Many medications are very expensive and are
not covered under most insurance plans. The cost may be
a hardship for you. Many States and pharmaceutical
companies have Pharmacy Assistance Programs.
Shering-Plough (the manufacturers of interferon) has a
program that can be reached by calling
(800)822-7000.
16. What if I become pregnant while taking this drug?
17. Does this drug interfere with sex in any way?
18. Do the medications cause sterility?
19. Can the drug be stopped suddenly or doses missed
without any ill effects?
20. What should I do if I suffer a side-effect or a drug?
PATIENT'S RIGHTS
1. TO HAVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU WISH ABOUT THE ILLNESS.
You see the doctor in order to gain an understanding of your health.
It is a service you pay for. You have the right to know your diagnosis,
prognosis, about alternate forms of treatment, what your doctor
recommends and why he believes his recommendations are the
best course of action. If you continue to have problems with your
health and a diagnosis has not been reached, you should have an
explanation of why not. Also, if further tests are needed they should
be explained to you. It *your* body and your health that are at stake
here. You wouldn't take your car in to a mechanic and let him begin
tinkering around in the engine without telling you what he was doing
and why first. You shouldn't allow a doctor to do the equivalent with
your body without being informed of what's going on.
2. TO BE ALLOWED ENOUGH TIME FOR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
ABOUT PROBLEMS.
When we first hear our diagnosis or have new medical terms thrown
at us, we are often taken off guard. We tend to forget some of the
information we are told, or don't think of the questions we want to ask
until later. You should have an opportunity both at the initial visit
and at subsequent times to discuss your problems. It is helpful to
write your questions down as youthink of them, and take them with
you to refer to, and as a reminder, on your next visit.
3. TO HAVE REASONABLE ACCESS TO YOUR DOCTOR.
You and your doctor should agree on what you consider "reasonable
access" in advance. Your idea of what constitutes reasonable access
may widely differ from his. If so, you may be able to reach a
compromise. If not, it's good to find this out early so that you can
find another doctor.
4. TO PARTICIPATE IN MAJOR DECISIONS IN YOUR CARE.
Participation is not only the right but also the responsibility of the
patient. It is important to be well educated about your illness and you
must ask questions so your decisions are as informed as possible.
You and your family are the main persons affected by your illness, not
your doctor.
5. KNOW YOUR DOCTOR'S NONOFFICE-HOUR AVAILABILITY AND
PROVISIONS FOR COVERAGE OF PATIENTS DURING THOSE TIMES.
Emergencies, accidents, and crises don't always occur during office
hours. Who is available to cover for your own doctor during nights,
weekends, and holidays? It is a good idea to meet the covering
doctors so you can decide whether you can work with them. If there
are special conditions, treatments, adverse reactions, preferences,
be sure to have your own doctor write them clearly in your chart so
that the covering doctor can refer to them. Remember the substitute
may be your doctor during your most vulnerable and neediest times.
6. DETERMINE WHO OTHER THAN THE DOCTOR SHALL HAVE ACCESS
TO INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.
The relationship of the physician and the patient is confidential.
Normally you will be asked to sign a release form authorizing your
files to be released to your insurance companies, or in special
instances to compensation boards, or other physicians. In some
cases where a disease is infectious or otherwise might affect the
health of others (e.g.hepatitis), the doctor is legally obligated to
report the condition to governmental authorities.
7. KNOW IN ADVANCE THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF CHARGES AND
POSSIBLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PAYMENT.
It is necessary to determine if you can afford the charges and to find
out if your insurance will cover them. It is not poor taste to ask about
charges in advance. If you cannot afford the charges, ask your doctor
if they will work out a sliding scale based on your ability to pay
(many will). Determine exactly what the charges include, and whether
things such as laboratory tests and x-rays are included in them. Also,
check in advance what your insurance will cover as well as the amount
of the deductible.
8. BE SEEN WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OF THE SCHEDULED
APPOINTMENT.
Sometimes unexpected problems and emergencies come up with
other patients that may cause a delay in your appointment time.
These situations can't be helped and aren't the doctor's fault. A
half-hour wait probably isn't unreasonable as long as you are informed
of the delay. If your doctor is chronically late you should decide if this
is just too much of a waste of time or annoyance to you, and if so,
choose another doctor who is able to keep his apointments within a
reasonable amount of time.
9. CHANGE PHYSICIANS IF A BREAKDOWN IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP
OCCURS AND HAVE YOUR RECORDS TRANSFERRED TO YOUR NEW
DOCTOR.
Sometimes things happen. As in any other relatonship there can be
personality conflicts, or perhaps your opinions on how your case
should be treated just don't agree. Or maybe the needed confidence
just isn't there. If this happens, do not allow it to continue.
Find another doctor who you can trust and get along with.
